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Sunday, 26 February 2017

Nigerian Modernists Return For Art Dubai 2017

By Tajudeen Sowole

When Nigerian modernists, Ben
Osawe (1931-2007) and Muraina Oyelami b.1940 are shown among works of other
artists from across the world at Art Dubai from March 15 - 18, 2017, in UAE, a
taste of Nigerian modernism would return to the yearly global art space.

In the past few years - except the last
edition - Nigerian galleries and artists, across modernism and contemporary
periods, have been showing at Art Dubai. Recall that in 2015, master

printmaker,
Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya was the face of Nigerian modern art when his works were
shown by Lagos-based Mydrim Gallery. Also, one of the new generation art spaces
in Lagos, Art Twenty One showed metal artist, Olu Amoda and a Camerounian at
the same edition of Art Dubai under the Contemporary section. Although no
Nigerian gallery showed at the event last year, a diaspora and contemporary
artist, Nnenna Okore was represented by Mumbai, India-based Sakshi Gallery.

Art Dubai 2017, according to a statement by
the organisers, will feature 93 galleries from 43 countries. Sculptures and
paintings by Osawe and Oyelami will be shown under London, U.K-based Tafeta
Gallery.

For the eleventh edition, the new Director of
the fair, Myrna Ayad

and International Director,
Pablo del Val, have the mandate to keep improving on the increasing global
numerical spread of Art Dubai. Last year April, Ayad was announced as
replacement for Antonia Carver who had been the fair director for six editions. “Over the years and through its programming,
Art Dubai has become one of the world’s most dynamic art fairs,” Ayad said
ahead of the event’s opening. “Through its year-round activities, educational
initiatives and artistic commissions, Art Dubai redefines what an art fair can
be and I am delighted that this year with new initiatives such as the Modern
Symposium and our largest performance art programme to date, we will be able to
offer further insights into the regional art scene with an increased programme
to engage our visitors outside the gallery halls.”

As much as the contemporary space of Nigerian
art is ever growing with energy from home and the Diaspora, showing the
country’s modern art, particularly at a global space like Art Dubai, is also
crucial to complete the narrative. For example, when Mydrim took Onobrakpeya to
Art Dubai 2015, it was refreshing, according to feelers from visitors to the
gallery’s booth.

The AD17 even promises to be more global. “The
eleventh edition of Art Dubai will be the most international to date, welcoming
new galleries and representative countries to the fair for the first time,
alongside ambitious new elements to the programming,” the orgnisers assured.

That assurance seems to be manifesting with
93 galleries from 43 countries, a tradition of “unrivalled access to art from
across the globe.” The spread stresses the Fair’s spot “as the world’s most
globally diverse art fair and the preeminent platform for the regional art
scene.”

Also an assurance of fresh experience in the
exhibition halls has been made. “The exhibitions will be split between solo or
two-artist exhibitions, allowing a more focused contemplation, and multi-artist
shows, enabling an overview of different works,” Pablo del Val said.

And to strengthen taste for modernity, there
will be “Art Dubai’s inaugural Modern Symposium.” The symposium is being
“initiated to celebrate the cultural impact of 20th century masters from the
Middle East, Africa and South Asia.”

The inaugural Modern Symposium, with support
from Alserkal Avenue, holds ‪on Friday
17 March at Art Dubai Modern and ‪on Saturday 18 March at Alserkal Avenue. The
features include talks and presentations focused on the life, work and impact
of 20th century Modern masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Other highlights of AD17 include the lead
sponsors’ project The Abraaj Group Art Prize, which has been described as the
region’s most important art prize. For the 2017 prize curated by Omar Berrada,
the winner, London-based Bangladeshi artist Rana Begum, will unveil her
commissioned work alongside an exhibition of works by shortlisted artists Doa
Aly, Sarah Abu Abdallah and Raha Raissnia.

The event’s yearly gathering of art resource
professionals tagged Global Art Forum continues, featuring about 50 speakers
from around the world, under the theme Trading Places, with a focus on the
trade of goods and ideas that shape – and reshape – the world. Said to have
been conceived by Shumon Basar as Commissioner, with Carver and Oscar
Guardiola-Rivera as Co-Directors, the Global Art Forum 2017 will take place at
the on March 15-17.

With Dubai Culture & Arts Authority as “a
strategic partner,” Art Dubai is organised in partnership with The Abraaj Group
and sponsored by Julius Baer,.